What can YOU do for Liberty in 2024?
Good Morning:
2024 is probably not going to be the end of the world, but it may be the end of the world as we know it.
There are lots of different things you can do to promote libertarianism. You can vote for the most libertarian candidate in every election. You can post liberty related social media updates, write letters to the editor, put up your own website, go to and organize protests and rallies, call talk radio, record your own Podcasts, and the list goes on.
I come to you today to remind you of one unique opportunity you have by being associated with the Libertarians.
We have a strong desire to have the best slate of Libertarian candidates that we have ever run in Macomb. With the two oldest & least popular dinosaur party candidates in American history expected to be at the top of their tickets it is obvious that the political winds are starting to shift our direction. Let us make sure our neighbors have real choices this November.
There are basically four different levels of Libertarian campaigns and they all serve a roll in our local fight for liberty:
1.) Active Candidates that can spend enough time and money in the right district to win the election.
2.) Active Candidates that can do enough in the right district to be a "king maker" shifting the difference from a Republican to a Democrat or vice-versa.
3.) Educational Candidates which are focused on doing what they can to get the libertarian message out to as many voters as possible to help us shape debates and ideas even in races were the Republican or Democratic candidate is all but guaranteed to win.
4.) Credibility Candidates that volunteer to have their name on the ballot to give more credibility to the Libertarians by enabling us to present as full of a slate as possible to the residents of Macomb County.
While I am certain that someday every Libertarian candidate will fall into spot (1.) we understand that the government we have did not become so incredibly authoritarian overnight, nor will it take a short time to bring our community to a state where individual rights and personal responsibility are respected above all else.
So what can YOU do?
There have already been a number of potential candidates who have stepped forward with interest, some have committed to particular races and some have said they are "willing to do anything." Take a look at the district maps for US House, State Rep and County Commission; see if there is something you are interested in :
If you have had particular experience dealing with the county government maybe that's the spot for you to shine, or if you are a state legislation junky, state rep may be for you. You can verify which districts you live in by reviewing the “Your Voting Districts” results on the state’s voter information web page https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index.
In addition to the races shown in the maps, we also are looking to find candidates for some county wide offices, including County Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, and Treasurer.
If you are are a resident of a township within Macomb County (not a city) there are also partisan township offices like Trustee, Clerk and Supervisor that would be great to get a few Libertarian campaigns in on.
Here you can find a list of all the candidates that have filed for one of the establishment party’s tax payer funded primary https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HU0fClc-UxGC8PV67PhwgKZAy_9hwmGR9BYzif5pdPs/edit. You’ll notice a few races have candidates only from one of the old parties. Historically these are the races we’ve had the most success getting Libertarians elected to.
Once you think you know which particular race you are interested in, or want help picking one, please contact one of the members of our Macomb County Political Direction committee, such as Jim Fulner (248) 971-0259.
There are also some state wide elections like State School Board, U of M Board of Regent, WSU Board of Governors etc.
So how do I get on the ballot?
Unlike our competitors in the old establishment parties, and independent candidates who have to spend a lot of time and money collecting signatures on petition and/or a filing fee, Libertarians in Michigan automatically get on the ballot by being nominated at a privately funded convention.
In order to be eligible for nomination you do need to have filled out candidate paperwork. In most cases this is only three pieces of paper, one of which needs to be notarized. An Affidavit of Identity (stating you are who you say you are) an establishment of campaign finance committee (this allows you to spend or receive money for your campaign) and a statement of nomination.
While in years past we have filled out every piece of paperwork at the convention, this year we intend to have as much as legally possible complete before the convention. This will allow you more time to participate in the rest of the business of the Party at convention, like the platform and LEC officer discussions, not to mention the ability to have more time to hear great speakers like our Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver. Needless to say this will also cut down the tireless work of the small number of members of the Party who have the privilege of being able to notarize your paperwork.
After you have decided what you want to run for, filled out your paper work and all that jazz, the next step is convention. The state convention is where Libertarian candidates are actually nominated. The membership always get the last say in who has the right to bear the Libertarian banner. NOTA (none of the above) is always an option. It is highly recommended that you attend the state convention called by Mr. Chadderdon. The convention will be Saturday, July 20, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. You can get more information by visiting their website https://michiganlp.org. In order to be seated to vote on party business, you need to be elected as a delegate to the convention, however you do not need to be a delegate to attend the convention. Particularly with the attraction of the Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver, lots of people will want to be there regardless.
If you are unable to make it to the U.P. for convention, you can still be nominated at the convention, please reach out and we can work together in such a case. Precision ahead of time to ensure nomination is in-line with Michigan election law is particularly important in such cases.
The bylaws do not require one to be a dues paying member of the Libertarian Party in order to receive our party's nomination, however I am unaware of any time the delegates have selected a nominee who was not a member. Also be aware that previous involvement in the election process in a different party DOES NOT ban you from being a member of the Libertarian Party nor a Libertarian candidate in Michigan(this is not true in all 50 states). In Michigan even if you voted in the primary election of a different Party or participated as a delegate or otherwise attended another Party's convention, you can still be a Libertarian candidate. Of course we’d recommend against ANYONE do such things and recommend EVERYONE be Libertarian Party members. There’s a reason why the Libertarian Party bylaws list the party’s #1 purpose as “functioning as a libertarian political entity separate and distinct from all other political parties or movements.”
In 2024 we need to strike the root of government control from all directions, while our ax is still sharp, so that all Americans can live in a more free society.
I hope you will do a fearless moral inventory and find how you can best fight for liberty in 2024.
While there are many libertarian groups and activities out there, only the LPM has been established primarily to be a tool for libertarians to use to get on the ballot, get media attention, and elect Libertarians in Michigan to shape the debate of Michigan politics, thereby leading all Michiganders to a more free society. The toolbox is available, will you use it?
Yours in liberation,
Jim Fulner, servant secretary
(P) 248-971-0259
--
Libertarians of Macomb County
20900 Moxon Dr.
Clinton Township, MI 48036